The
Story of My Military Service with the 320th B.G.by
Benton B. Banchor, 442nd Bomb Squadron

My Introduction to the Army Air Corps

Benton
B. Banchor442nd B.S.

I
was drafted 11 November 1941. When I went for my physical,
the doctor asked me what I thought of the war. I replied
that I didn't think Hitler should be able to take over
the world. On 26 November 1941, when I left for basic
training at Fort Bliss, TX, my father gave me a knife
with 3 blades (and a bottle opener) which served me
well throughout my military career.

Because I
could type, I was given the opportunity to be tested
for entry into the Air Corps. After I passed the test,
I was sent to Biloxi, Mississippi where I worked harder
than I ever had in high school to complete such a concentrated
course. Because they didn't accept the infantry basic
training, I had to take basic training over again! One
time we were able to see a crashed airplane. I also
received an "A" in engines. Pearl Harbor happened
while I was there. Everyone had to send home their musical
instruments and I sent back my clarinet. I discovered
that the Coke machine in the hangar would release two
cokes (if you moved fast) for the price of a nickel,
and so I provided Cokes to all my friends. My sister's
husband, 1st Lieutenant Phil Carpenter, got me a pass
to town (no one else did), where I had the best oyster
dinner ever. On New Years Eve I visited New Orleans
and at midnight all the guys and gals kissed each other.

After
graduating from Technical school, I was sent by train
to the Glenn L. Martin Plant in Baltimore, MD. While
there, I visited my uncle, Colonel Harwood, in Washington
DC. He told me about Roosevelt's famous quote "the
only thing we have to fear is fear itself” and assured
me that we would win the war, which gave me a morale
boost. Later we toured B-26's and learned all about
these planes. After graduation, we were sent to Tampa,
FL for field conditioning (planes and airmen). It was
so humid there. Fatigues wouldn't dry out even when
hung up overnight. This is where the pilots chose their
crews and I was fortunate to have Capt. Simms, who
was a co-pilot for Doolittle, pick me to be his aerial
engineer.

After several practice flights it
was obvious the planes were not safe. An average of
one plane a day crashed into the bay! There was a Congressional
investigation and they had to find out from the crews
what was wrong. Eventually the Army decided the planes
needed to be modified. After a lengthy delay, the modified
planes finally arrived at McDill, FL and we began transitional
hops (flying around the country from base to base).
Those unable to make these transitional hops were washed
out. Those who passed were sent to Baer Field in
Ft. Wayne, IN on 9 September 1942. While there, I met
a local girl who "wined & dined" me. Eventually,
we were promoted and had our crew pictures taken. We
had to work as a team; our lives depended on it. (Continued)